Asian American Experience LGBT & Beyond
Gregory Mason
Cultural • Feb 5th, 14
Usually when the topic of race in America is addressed in conversation, black, white, Latino, and Asian come to mind. However, one of the least represented racial minorities in the American culture would have to be Asian Americans. Not since the 2008 Clint Eastwood movie, “Gran Torino” has there been another predominately Asian American cast in a nation wide theatre released film and before that nothing really comes to mind.
Even though there are many Asian American talented actors throughout television that have made their culture proud with great characters in widely successful TV shows like Sandra Oh of ABC’s “Greys Anatomy”, Jenna Ushkowitz & Harry Shum Jr. of Fox’s “Glee”, and representing for the LGBT community and Trekkies everywhere George Takei of “Star Trek” and “Heroes”. There has yet to be an Asian American in a starring role as well as a predominately Asian American cast in a television show.
We as a nation who prides diversity in race and culture and who constantly stands for equality for all definitely needs to do better when it comes to these exact words. Actions definitely speak louder than words and the actions that we have taken as a nation to provide entertainment that represents equality of people in American has not been seen. We have hundreds of predominately Caucasian networks and a few black and Latino networks, and maybe one if any Asian networks of entertainment and media outlets. There is a very badly skewed representation where we see the numerous cultures that make of the white race from east, west, south, north, and even more specifically socioeconomic statuses and career choice.
With all that being said, the Asian American LGBT community is in a similar situation, and it seems that the Asian American community as a whole needs to come together to speak up more about programming and mainstream entertain that displays the Asian American community to the mainstream American public. We as Americans learn so much about other cultures and races through entertainment and media so it only makes sense to have more exposure for others to learn and for the Asian American community to celebrate and express their heritage.
There are so many influential, engaging, and talented Asian American actors, musicians, and artists just as JR Tungol, intern for the HuffingtonPost Gay Voices, has showcased in a great article “The Most Influenctial LGBT Asian Icons” which is a great resource along with the other resource options available to learn more about the Asian American experience.
The reason why it is so important to gain more exposure for the LGBT community of color is because we are considered a double minority. It is so difficult for people of color to gain the same momentum as white counterparts, sometimes having to work harder to prove your equally qualified in the professional working world and other situations personal or professional. However, to identify as LGBT makes it that much more difficult, because you have to deal with the issues of race and sexuality.
I myself have had some problems in the professional and personal areas in my life dealing with this double minority label. Sometimes it is difficult to be taken seriously as a black gay man, and you have to watch what you do and say to make sure you are articulate and professional, but also trying to figure out if it is a safe environment for you to be open with your sexuality as well. The LGBT community is not protected in the professional world, and some organizations, businesses, and agencies are not comfortable with hiring people that they assume are part of the LGBT community so sometimes, you have to be extra careful.
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